LAKEWOOD, WA – Beginning this Wednesday, Pierce Transit will host nine “Community Information Meetings” for the public regarding details of the service reductions scheduled for late September 2013. Cuts in service are due to the loss of Proposition 1 in November 2012. Pierce Transit currently operates 417,000 annual service hours. Once the service reduction plan is implemented, Pierce Transit will operate 300,000 annual hours, a 28% cut.
 
Locations and dates of the nine meetings:
 
LAKEWOOD
Wednesday, March 6th 12 – 2PM
Pierce Transit Training Center (Rainier Room)
3720 96th St SW, Lakewood
Served by Routes 48, 300
 
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON – TACOMA
Thursday, March 7th
Two meeting times to choose from:
• 11AM – 1PM
• 6 – 7:30PM
William W. Phillip Hall (Jane Russell Commons)
1918 Pacific Ave, Tacoma
Served by Routes 1, 48, 53, ST 590 (Northbound),
ST 594, ST Link light rail
 
NORTHEAST TACOMA
Wednesday, March 13th 4 – 6PM
Northeast Tacoma Police Substation
4731 Norpoint Way NE, Tacoma
Served by Route 62
 
PARKLAND / SPANAWAY
Monday, March 18th 5 – 7PM
Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library
13718 Pacific Ave S, Tacoma
Served by Route 1
 
PUYALLUP
Thursday, March 19th 11AM – 1PM
Puyallup Library (North Room)
324 S Meridian, Puyallup
Served by Routes 400, 402, 409
 
GIG HARBOR
Wednesday, March 20th 5 – 7PM
Gig Harbor Civic Center (Council Chambers)
3510 Grandview St, Gig Harbor
Served by Route 100
 
PUYALLUP
Tuesday, March 26th 5:30 – 7:30PM
Puyallup Library (North Room)
324 S Meridian, Puyallup
Served by Routes 400, 402, 409
 
UNIVERSITY PLACE
Tuesday, April 9th 6 – 7:30PM
University Place Library
3609 Market PL W, Ste 100
University Place
Served by Route 2
 
Almost all Pierce Transit routes will be affected. The primary impacts of the proposed service reductions are:
 
Reduced local bus service:
WEEKDAYS

• 36 routes operating 1250 daily trips
• Limited service after 7:30PM
• Limited service during mid-day

 SATURDAYS

• 25 routes operating 456 trips
• Limited service after 7PM
• Limited service during mid-day

 SUNDAYS

• 17 routes operating 271 trips
• Limited service after 7PM
• Limited service during mid-day

 OTHER

• Service will be eliminated on or around the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Elimination of Route 62, and SHUTTLE, which serves Northeast Tacoma.
• No restoration of special service to events like the Washington State Fair (Puyallup Fair).

SHUTTLE USERS: As per federal ADA regulations, SHUTTLE paratransit service for eligible people with disabilities operates during the same days and times as bus service. As bus service is reduced or eliminated, SHUTTLE service will also be reduced or eliminated.
 
Detailed service reduction plan information is available online at www.piercetransit.org, or by calling customer service at 253-581-8000. A public hearing on implementation of the service reduction plan is scheduled for the May 13, 2013 Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners meeting.